Inflatable seat cushion

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a vehicle seat cushion having first and second sections. The sections may be pneumatically inflatable. The first section has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The second section also has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Each of the said sections are located a spaced distance apart to form an elongated vertical channel between the sections and may be located on the forward section of a curved back pan. The cushion may also be of a unitary construction and each section of the cushion may be independently inflatable as well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to inflatable cushions used in vehicle seats and the like. More specifically, the present invention concerns truck and tractor seating which includes a backrest cushion that uses spaced sections to form a vertical channel which does not press against the spine of a user. This provides a level of comfort that is not found in current seating designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In typical seating configurations, cushioning is provided along the entire back pan, which in turn, engages a user's entire back including the spinal area. It has been found, however, that the engagement of the spinal area produces an uncomfortable ride for the occupant.

[0003] The present invention improves the comfort level of a seat by providing an inflatable cushion which may be located in the back pan of a seat. To avoid engaging the spine, the inflatable cushion or bladder is designed to form a recess, channel or depression in which a user's spine may be located. This, in turn, results in a vehicle seat with an improved comfort level since pressure on the spine is diminished.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in several views, and in which:

[0005]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the inflatable cushion that may be used with the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternates or modifications in which insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle seat 10 having a ergonomically curved backrest or back pan 12, an inflatable backrest cushion 14, and cover 16. The construction and design of back pan 12 and cover 16 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0012] Backrest cushion 14 is constructed as an inflatable bladder having a plurality of spaced sections 20-23 forming a plurality of chambers. Spacing the sections creates elongated recessed, channels or depressions and 32 between the sections.

[0013] Because backrest cushion 14 is inflatable, it may be configured in a number of different ways. As shown in FIG. 2, chambers 20 and 21 are connected by passageway 50 which allows both chambers to be pneumatically filled by supply tube 27. Chambers 22 and 23 are similarly configured to permit supply tube 28 to fill both chambers through use of passageway 52. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, sections 20 and 21 form upper chambers and sections 22 and 23 form lower chambers which are selectively inflatable through the use of tubes or passageways 40-43. The tubes allow the chambers to be pneumatically inflated through the use of pressurized gas which may be supplied by a source on the vehicle. Configuring the cushions in this matter allows each section to be individually inflated as desired by the user.

[0014] Sections 20 and 21 may also be constructed so as to be capable of being inflated in tandem by the use of a single supply passageway 50. Passageway 50 may be part of a seam 51 that physically connects or links the sections. Passageway 52 functions in the same manner as passageway 50 but works with sections 22 and 23. Alternately, the sections may only include one operable chamber as well.

[0015] In use, the supply tube or passageway is in communication with an air supply and the amount of inflation is normally controlled by a valve which allows a user to inflate each section or all of the sections as desired. As shown in FIG. 2, cushion 14 is located at the forward portion on the curved section of back pan 12. As shown in FIG. 4, channel 30 of cushion 14 is generally located in a central position on the backrest 12 so as to receive the spinal area 99 of a user or seat occupant. This results in the spine resting in channel 30. This, in turn, results in minimizing the pressure or force exerted against the spine by the cushion and other seat components. Reducing this pressure results in a more comfortable ride for the user.

[0016] In another embodiment, cushion 97 is formed by a base section 100 having a sidewall 102. Also provided is a protruding section or top portion 104 which has a plurality of raised areas 110 to 113 which are separated by channels 120 and 122. As cushion 97 is unitary in construction with the raised areas 110-113 formed by areas of increased material which have the capability of inflating beyond the point of full inflation of the areas forming channels 120 and 122. As shown with the other embodiments described above, cushion 97 has a channel or depression 120 which is vertical and positioned to receive the spinal area of a user. This, again, reduces the pressure on the spine and results in increased comfort.

[0017] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that changes and other modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Various features of the present invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat backrest cushion comprising: first and second pneumatically inflatable sections; said first section comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber; said second section comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber; and each of said sections being spaced to form an elongated vertical channel between said sections.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one passageway pneumatically connects said chambers.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another and said lower chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway and said lower chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper chambers are independently inflatable and said lower chambers are independently inflatable.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein all of said chambers are independently inflatable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said channel is positioned to receive the spinal area of a user.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said channel is positioned minimize force on the spinal area of an occupant.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sections of said cushion are located on the forward section of a curved back pan.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sections are centrally located on a backrest of the seat.
 11. A vehicle seat backrest cushion comprising: a base and a protruding section; said protruding section including a plurality of raised areas; and said raised areas defining a generally centrally located recess.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said cushion is of a unitary construction.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said cushion is located on the forward section of a curved back pan.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 further wherein said channel is generally located in a central position on a backrest of the seat.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said channel is positioned to receive the spinal area of a user.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said channel is positioned to minimize force on the spinal area of an occupant.
 17. A vehicle seat backrest cushion comprising: first and second pneumatically inflatable sections; said first section comprising at least one chamber; said second section comprising at least one chamber; and each of said sections being spaced to form an elongated vertical channel between said sections.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein at least one passageway pneumatically connects said chambers.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first section includes an upper and lower chamber and said second section includes an upper and lower chamber.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said upper chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another and said lower chambers are in pneumatic communication with one another.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said upper chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway and said lower chambers are pneumatically connected by at least one passageway.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said upper chambers are independently inflatable and said lower chambers are independently inflatable.
 23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein all of said chambers are independently inflatable.
 24. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said channel is positioned to receive the spinal area of a user.
 25. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said channel is positioned to minimize force on the spinal area of an occupant.
 26. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said sections of said cushion are located on the forward section of a curved back pan.
 27. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said sections are generally located in a central position on a backrest of the seat.
 28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a seam connects said sections.
 29. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a seam connects said sections. 